Mother, 17, Sought After Leaving Baby At Fire Station

A 17-year-old mother said she was desperate Wednesday and the only thing she could do was abandon her 8-month-old baby by handing her over to an Apopka firefighter. Investigators want to find that young mother, who said she had to leave her baby because her family kicked her out.

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Investigators want to speak with the teen mom, because interviews with the teen's own mother and siblings don't match up with her story.

Child abuse investigators with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they have not been able to find the 17-year-old mother who left her 8-month-old baby girl at the fire station around 4:20am Wednesday. They've talked with the baby's grandmother and other relatives, but so far detectives have been unable to get the mother's side of the story.

According to interviews detectives conducted with the teen girl's mother and siblings, the girl was not kicked out of the house, which is the story the teen gave to firefighters when she left her young child with them. She reportedly stated she felt she had no other options, because her mother had kicked her out of the house and she was now homeless.

"It's devastating, yes, very sad. She was very concerned and very upset, but she did what she thought was best for her child. She had no where else to go," said Sue Prinzing, the firefighter that met the mother at the door of the station.

The child appeared to be in good health. Her mother dropped her off with diapers and formula.

Glen Casel, with Community-Based Care of Seminole, a private non-profit vendor for DCF, believes the mother did the right thing by reaching out for help where professionals can ensure her baby will be safe. However, the mother will not be protected under the Safe Haven Law, which states anyone can drop off a newborn, three days or younger, at a fire station with no questions asked.

What this mother and others in her situation should do, Casel said, is simply pick up the phone and call 211.

"You can call 24-7. 211 is manned by trained volunteers and staff that will be able to talk you through your situation in pretty short order, where you can ask, 'How can you help me? What's out there for me?'" Casel said.

The sheriff's office said they couldn't say if anyone would be charged until they talk to the teen. Meanwhile, the baby is in the care of the Department of Children and Families.